My grandmother’s handwriting was distinctive. She wrote letters to me when I was in college, always encouraging me to stay on track. She wrote recipes, like the one pictured. Her recipes weren’t very accurate because she just threw in handfuls and dabs. But she was a wonderful cook and loved to bake for others.
One of our family’s most cherished items is my grandmother’s Bible. She’s been in Heaven for many years, but I remember her Bible, because it was always within reach of her chair. She used it daily and wrote notes in the margins. This well-worn book was her guidebook for life, and she spent a lot of time studying it.
Although I attended church and Sunday school my entire life, I didn’t really study the Bible until I became a young adult. It was through Bible studies at church that I learned how to read the Bible, and even more importantly, how to use it as a guidebook for my life.
I’ve ordered a new Bible that I plan to use this year as we’ll be reading through it. I’m excited to add my thoughts or insights in the margins. My oldest grandchild, Maddy, is 15 years old, and I’m thinking this will be a gift for her at the end of the year. Who knows, maybe I’ll do one every year for the next few years, so I can give one to each grandchild. After all, I want them to know there’s no more important book than the Bible. I want them to know how much I cherish its words, and how much it has shaped my life! My fervent prayer for each of them – and for you – is that you’d know Jesus personally and dive into His Word.
You may be thinking, “I get bored reading the Bible”, or “I don’t have time to read the Bible” and the year-long study may seem daunting. I can tell you from personal experience that if you’ll ask God for a hunger for the Bible, He’ll give it to you. And 2024 is a great time to get started!
Susan Meharg, Assistant to Executive Pastors
